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8 Family-Friendly Spring Break Destinations

This unofficial “holiday” is usually celebrated in mid-March for southern states and colleges, it falls closer to Easter in the North and Midwest. Either way, as college kids flock to Florida beaches, there are plenty of other destinations for the family-friendly Spring Break crowd.

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Head to Huntsville for an out-of-this-world experience. Home to the Apollo 16 Command Module, Pathfinder, and a National Historic Landmark Saturn V Moon Rocket, the center has accommodated nearly 16 million visitors since it opened in 1971.

The Grand Canyon – Arizona

Although it’s not the largest canyon in the world, the Grand Canyon is more than a mile deep and two miles long, with spectacular scenery and a variety of activities. Hiking and mule trails, rafting trips and helicopter rides, informative visitor centers and ranger programs make this National Park a prime vacation spot for families.

Located in Hartford and home to author Samuel Clemens from 1874 to 1891, this was where the author composed some of his most famous works, including The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and The Prince and The Pauper. Tour the house and visit the museum for insight on Twain and his fascinating career.

Sun Valley – Idaho

At first glance, Idaho may not seem like the ultimate Spring Break destination, but the resort city of Sun Valley offers year-round outdoor recreation like cross-country skiing, ice skating, snowmobiling, golfing, mountain biking, river rafting and hiking. The city is also host to special events and festivals throughout the year.

Dodge City – Kansas

Go back to the Wild West with a trip to this frontier cow-town, which retains much of its original culture and Western-style buildings. Visit forts and trails of the Old West and learn more about the city’s heritage at the Boot Hill Museum.

Named after our 26th U.S. President, this park offers approximately 70,000 acres of hiking trails, painted canyons and wildlife habitat. The location is rich with history of the cattle ranching era of the late 1800s, including Roosevelt’s Elkhorn Ranch Site, where he developed many of his ideas for conservation.

Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream Factory – Vermont

If a sweet tooth runs in your family, travel to Ben & Jerry’s in the town of Waterbury to see how the iconic ice cream is made. Tour the factory and then hit up the on-site full-service scoop shop, which serves favorite flavors like Cherry Garcia and unique ice cream concoctions like the Vermonster.

At 876 feet above the New River near Fayetteville, this spectacular structure stretches 3,030 feet and is the second longest single-span steel arch bridge in the Western Hemisphere. Year-round walking tours are typically 2 to 3 hours, with tourists fastened to a safety cable as they cross the bridge.

Travel Tip: If you are headed for the beach but you’re on a limited budget, book early, take a non-direct flight and make it a five-day trip instead of the whole week. Tuesday through Saturday stays are often more cost-effective than a Saturday to Saturday vacation.